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Rock your desktop, or your entire room

Whether you play them on your desktop as near-field monitors or crank 'em up to fill your entire room, Paradigm's A2 powered speakers deliver powerful, engaging sound that brings your music to life. From crisp, clear guitar notes, to breathy saxophone solos and smooth, accurate vocals, the A2s will place you right in the middle of your favorite recordings. They're a great choice for plugging in an iPod®, or pairing up with your PC. (To really show off what they can do with your digital music sources, we recommend adding an outboard digital-to-analog converter.) Or add Paradigm's BD1 Bluetooth® audio receiver to play music wirelessly from your tablet, smartphone, or compatible portable player.

Praise for the Paradigm A2 from The Absolute Sound

"A 2012 Golden Ear recipient, the [Paradigm] Shift A2 is more than just a cleverly named loudspeaker. Compact, internally powered, and equipped with DSP bass management and enough back-panel inputs to connect to almost any source, this is what 21st century entry-level high end is all about. A combination of sound and value, it extends the welcome mat to budding high-enders who may have felt they couldn't afford the entrance fee."

— The Absolute Sound 2013 Guide to high-performance loudspeakers

"The Paradigm Shift A2 represents a very high order of value and performance — incredibly versatile for small-room, family-on-the-go, and impromptu listening anywhere there's an outlet."

— From Neil Gader's review in The Absolute Sound, July/August, 2012

Great looks and a solid build

The A2's 1" pure aluminum dome tweeter and 5-1/2" satin-anodized pure aluminum cone woofer are each powered by their own separate 50 watt RMS amplifier for impressive control and output. Sophisticated built-in digital signal processing helps ensure the utmost accuracy and clarity, even when you're listening to your music at high volume levels. All components are housed in solidly built wood cabinet with your choice of beautiful finishes.

Versatile connections for your setup

Connections built into the back of the speaker make it easy to hook up a portable music player like an iPod, iPhone®, or the headphone output of a computer. Rear RCA line inputs let you connect another audio source, such as a network music streamer, CD player, or DAC. The A2 can be used alone as a single mono speaker, but they sound so good you'll want at least a pair. Rear-panel RCA and minijack outputs let you daisy chain two or more together for an incredible high-performance sound system. A built-in AC outlet lets you power up accessories like a charger for your player or Paradigm's Bluetooth audio receiver.

Product Research

Features

Powered Speaker: The Paradigm Shift A2 Powered Speaker features a
two-way speaker design and a built-in amplifier with digital signal processing.
With two analog inputs you can connect your TV, computer, laptop, tablet, or
portable MP3 device. The two analog outputs allow you to daisy chain multiple A2
powered speakers for a stereo speaker configuration in one room or a mono
speaker configuration in multiple rooms.

Digital Signal Processing (DSP): Sophisticated mathematical algorithms
shape the Paradigm Shift A2's frequency response so that even when you're
listening at loud levels not only is the bass intense, the overall sound from
the A2 is unbelievably accurate, clear, and musical.

Bi-Amplified: The Paradigm Shift A2 features a built-in 100 watt (RMS)
amplifier. The amplifier sends 50 watts (RMS) to the tweeter and 50 watts (RMS)
to the woofer.

Rubber Feet: The powered speaker comes with 4 self-adhesive rubber
feet for added stability. The rubber feet add approximately 0.375" to the height
of the speaker.

Optional Stainless Steel Stand: You can add the Paradigm Shift
Stainless Steel Stand (819STAND,
sold separately) to the A2 powered speakers for a more sophisticated, sculpted
look.

Controls

Power Switch: The Paradigm Shift A2 Powered Speaker's main power
switch is located on its rear-panel.

Volume Control: The A2 is designed for use with various audio devices.
However, audio sources have different output levels. The A2's rear-panel rotary
volume control allows you to adjust the powered speaker's input level to match
the output level of your device. Once you have set the A2's volume level, you
can use your connected source's volume control to raise and lower the volume of
the system.

Stereo/Mono Switch: The Paradigm Shift A2 can be used as a mono
speaker, or as a stereo pair when connected to another A2 powered speaker (sold
separately). There is a rear-panel switch to designate weather its being used as
a mono speaker or a left/right stereo speaker.

Connections

Analog Outputs: The A2 Powered Speaker features two rear-panel analog
outputs; a stereo RCA output and a stereo minijack (3.5mm) output. These outputs
can be used to connect multiple A2 speakers and/or a powered subwoofer.

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team. They verify what’s in the box, check the owner's manual, and record
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to help people make informed choices.

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Balanced

Written By YenkoZL1, Phoenix on Saturday, June 21, 2014

I purchased the Paradigm Shift A2's for music on my computer. The sound is great. You can always tell when you have a good speaker when you can here a difference in a recording through them. I paired the A2s with the Cambridge Magic DAC XS, and they're a match made in heaven. Especially the price of the Cambridge DAC compared to others. This setup is completely portable if you choose. I don't think there is a better DAC out there for the money that is as small at the Cambridge.

I do have the HISS sound coming from only the right speaker. The instructions in the box talk about this. Dimmers, fans, static, routers, and bad grounds can cause this. So I am still trying to rectify the problem. Once the music is playing it isn't as noticeable.

The tweeters are bright. But with 8hrs of play on them they have mellowed out a little. Paradigm says there is an extensive break in period but they don't specify how long.

These speakers sound great regardless of the type of music you listen to. I give 50% of the credit to the Cambridge DAC.

These speakers wont disappoint. Bi 50watt RMS amps built into each?! The cost difference versus other non-active speakers is about $160 savings. And you don't need a separate amp which I have priced on average $499 for a 2 channel setup for computer use or other portable uses. These speaker are worth the $$$ to performance ratio.

Paradigm Shift A2 up grade

I received my Paradigm Shift A2's Monday 10-28-2013. They are replacing a pair of Audioengine A5+'s that I have been using as my computer speakers for the last two years. I have been listening to computer audio more lately and I wanted to get a pair of speakers that have more detail than my Audioengines. I read good reviews on the Paradigm Shift A2's so I ordered them from Crutchfield. I got the Ash Black Grain speaker finish because I could not see spending for a special finish even though they look to be very nice. They sound the same. When I opened the speaker shipping box I was happy to see that the Ash Black finish looks great. Not cheap looking at all. If you want to save money on the speakers and opt for the Ash Black. You will not be sorry. I noticed an immediate improvement in music detail and richness over the Audioengines. I do not hear any hiss coming from the speakers as I read from some of the reviews. I think the A2's will benefit from some break in time to smooth out the top end a little. They only have about 5 hours playing time on them now. But as they are now they sound great. They are a big improvement over my Audioengines. If all you want to do is listen to music while on your computer the Audioengines will do a fine job. But if you want to do any serious listening to music you should consider the Paradigm Shift A2's. For me the upgrade from the Audioengines to the Paradigm Shift A2's was money well spent.

Pros:Audiophile sound for a great price.
I find myself pushing back from the computer and just listening to music.

Very Pleased

To tell the truth . Everyone who comes into my house goes straight for my music room . How does such sound come from something so small and cheap ! Music , sound has always been that way since i was a kid . Money to burn or band 4 the buck u can acquire very good sound . HT-Omega Claro Halo pci sound card . Paradigm Shift A2 and Klipsch SW308 on Auralex mopar stands gave me what i wanted . Clean ,clear and detailed sound. I honestly give 50% of the credit to HT-Omega for a fine SC with exceptional software . The signal is so clean i have 'No' hiss ,hum or pop . But i do also have everything plugged into 1 Belkins surge protector . I wanted a metal tweeter as 'Rocky' would tell you (Great help Rocky was). 80 to 100 hours break-in ,no joke . The Klipsch also . This setup tells you as it burns in when to flatten it out and a gentle adjustment of the sound stage . No Chit man it's that righteous .The Omega software lets me do anything i care to do . No way this old man goes for a USB Dac . Thanks but ya'll use them . People hear my sound and they don't want to leave . Want else you got Tom . Hmmm throw down some 'Sade' and let the drums and deep clean bass steal their souls . Ya , GOOD Sounds

Pros:Break them in 100 hr's and fill your room with fine sound . Loud or soft the A2's will do it ..I've seen ,read . Some reviewers stone the A2 for the imo very sweet magnetic grill cover .Which i do use cause I like'em . Quality of build . Second to none . The power of the Paradigms is very clean . I fill a 16x18 rm with clean volume you can't speak over . Course i have the SW308 Kicking azz also ..

Great sound if you can ignore the hiss

Right out of the box these speakers had an impressive presence. The smooth finish and attractive looking drivers really set off the look. The sound is also very nicely composed compared to the Audioengine A5's which I tried just before these. The A2's have significantly clearer highs, but they are almost too "bright" for my tastes and leave my ears feeling fatigued after extended listening. In that regard, I highly prefer the fabric domes of the Audioengine speakers. For bass and mids, the Paradigms are much more refined and extended, hitting a good 2 octaves lower than the Audioengine speakers with enough authority to not need a sub for most applications.

I ran my sound through a NuForce DAC from my iMac using the RCA outputs which significantly improved the sound quality. However, I'm torn on the harshness and bright sounding tweeters. I hope they smooth out over the next few days of break-in. Also, you may have read reviews of a hiss from the tweeters tied to internal amps. It's definitely there and changing gain levels across the DAC, audio card, and the speakers produced no change. If they're on, they're hissing. Only sound output at moderate levels drowns it out. The Audioengine A5's had no hiss and a much warmer sound for my tastes.

I'll give these a few more days to smooth out, but unless they do they're going back. It comes down to taste usually, and the bright sound combined with the hissing might just do me in despite the otherwise great sound.

Pros:Amazing mid range and bass extension for such a small speaker.
Very attractive with nice material finishes and driver composition.
Easy and flexible connectivity.

Cons:The ever-present hiss.
Bright blue indicator light. Putting the grilles on dims it somewhat, but not by enough.
Harsh and bright tweeter. It makes for very clear definition in the music, but at a cost to my ears.

Paradigm shift

Having had paradigm speakers in my home theater setup for the last 11 years I was confident these particular speakers would not disappoint and I was correct! I have them connected to my PC with an audioengine DAC and an audioquest cinnamon cable and the performance is great!. Like anything else in audio you need to tweak things to make them perform and the same goes here. I could not be more happier and the more they get played the better they will sound!

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